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Fianna Fail refuses to reveal details of meat baron money

FIANNA FAIL has refused to disclose details of cash donations made by a wealthy meat baron during the 1970s and 1980s.

In a statement last week, the party said it had received money from Sher Rafique, the former owner of United Meat Packers in Ballyhaunis, and had issued receipts for donations received. But it refused to reveal the amounts of the payments or how many were made by the wealthy Pakistani.

Rafique disclosed to The Sunday Times last week that he gave between IR£150,000 and £200,000 to Fianna Fail during the 1970s and 1980s, but said he never received a receipt.

The payments, ranging from £10,000-£50,000 each, were made in cash to the party during general elections. He claimed that he contributed the money through John O’Dwyer, a solicitor who was then Fianna Fail’s director of elections in Mayo. The businessman claimed he never sought nor was offered anything in